1 Kings 20:2
◄  1 Kings 20:2  ►
New International Version (©2011)
He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, saying, "This is what Ben-Hadad says:

New Living Translation (©2007)
Ben-hadad sent messengers into the city to relay this message to King Ahab of Israel: "This is what Ben-hadad says:

English Standard Version (©2001)
And he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad:

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then he sent messengers to the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, "Thus says Ben-hadad,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Benhadad,

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, "This is what Ben-hadad says:

International Standard Version (©2012)
Then he sent envoys to visit King Ahab of Israel and told him, "This is what Ben-hadad says:

NET Bible (©2006)
He sent messengers to King Ahab of Israel, who was in the city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
He sent messengers into the city to King Ahab of Israel. They told Ahab, "This is what Benhadad says:

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus says Ben-hadad,

American King James Version
And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said to him, Thus said Benhadad,

American Standard Version
And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad,

Douay-Rheims Bible
And, sending messengers to Achab king of Israel into the city,

Darby Bible Translation
And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said to him, Thus says Ben-Hadad:

English Revised Version
And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad,

Webster's Bible Translation
And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said to him, Thus saith Ben-hadad,

World English Bible
He sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, and said to him, "Thus says Ben Hadad,

Young's Literal Translation
and sendeth messengers unto Ahab king of Israel, to the city,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:1-11 Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies shall: guilt dispirits men, and makes them cowards. Ahab became desperate. Men will part with their most pleasant things, those they most love, to save their lives; yet they lose their souls rather than part with any pleasure or interest to prevent it. Here is one of the wisest sayings that ever Ahab spake, and it is a good lesson to all. It is folly to boast of any day to come, since we know not what it may bring forth. Apply it to our spiritual conflicts. Peter fell by self-confidence. Happy is the man who is never off his watch.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into [Heb. to. It is not clear that they entered the city. They may have delivered their message to the king, or to his representatives at the gates or to the people on the walls (2 Kings 18:18, 27)] the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad,

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city,.... Who there remained, and attempted not to go forth and meet him, and stop his progress, though he must have passed great part of his dominions to come to Samaria:

and said unto him, thus saith Benhadad; by them, his messengers, as follows.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2-12. Thus said Ben-hadad, Thy silver and thy gold is mine—To this message sent him during the siege, Ahab returned a tame and submissive answer, probably thinking it meant no more than an exaction of tribute. But the demand was repeated with greater insolence; and yet, from the abject character of Ahab, there is reason to believe he would have yielded to this arrogant claim also, had not the voice of his subjects been raised against it. Ben-hadad's object in these and other boastful menaces was to intimidate Ahab. But the weak sovereign began to show a little more spirit, as appears in his abandoning "my lord the king" for the single "tell him," and giving him a dry but sarcastic hint to glory no more till the victory is won. Kindling into a rage at the cool defiance, Ben-hadad gave orders for the immediate sack of the city.

1 Kings 20:2 Parallel Commentaries

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Ahab's Wars with Syria
1And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it. 2And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said to him, Thus said Benhadad, 3Your silver and your gold is mine; your wives also and your children, even the best, are mine. …

1 Kings 15:18 Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the LORD's temple and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent them to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.
1 Kings 20:1 Now Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he went up and besieged Samaria and attacked it.
1 Kings 20:3 Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.'"